Assalamu alaikum,

I emailed earlier, but some of the terms in my message were unclear. After the nikah [contract] has been done, the husband and wife are still separated due to traditional rituals for about a year or six months, with no physical relationship. Then, the rituals take place, and the girl can go in her husband’s house. There is this ceremony called the walima. Within how many days after the nikah has been held should the walima be performed? And does the nikah become makrooh (disliked) if there is no relationship between the husband and wife for 40 days after the nikah?

As for spouses refraining from conjugal relations, that solely depends on the reason for it; if there is a legitimate and reasonable excuse, then it can be acceptable. Otherwise, if four months have already passed, and the husband has not had sexual relations with his wife, she would have the right to a divorce.